INTRAFFIC DESIGNS NEW GENERIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR AMSTERDAM'S GVB
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CASE InTraffic designs new generic infrastructure for Amsterdam’s GVB It has been common in public transport for every vehicle – bus, tram, metro – to have its own hardware and software, which means that communication with other systems is complex and maintenance and management is time-consuming. This is the reason why GVB was one of the first public transport companies in the Netherlands back in 2016 to start developing a Generic ICT Vehicle Architecture (GIVA). This generic architecture, which is based on the European ITxPT standard, is now used in electric buses, the new 15G trams and the M7 metro trains that are still on order. René Morel is the GIVA ICT system integrator for buses that use the same generic architecture. This the GIVA project on behalf of GVB. He says: “In was soon followed by an order for 30 M7 metro December 2016 we decided to move away from the trains. Before the first software was delivered, the traditional approach and start working with a generic project thus grew into a broad programme that architecture. Because we were one of the first public covers all public transport types. transport companies worldwide to embrace the ITxPT standard so widely, we had to win over a lot of Business benefits people. After all, this approach was new for almost Morel: “On the one hand, these rapid changes all suppliers and their subcontractors.” caused delays in the tram project. But on the other The GIVA standard was first applied in the 15G hand, we immediately saw the business benefits to trams. Even before the trams were delivered, a be gained when you use a generic infrastructure. new project came along: the purchase of 31 electric After all, we were able to develop the software for
CASE INTRAFFIC DESIGNS NEW GENERIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR AMSTERDAM’S GVB
This was also evident during this project. You need
multiple competencies that can’t all be combined in
“InTraffic has the domain knowledge and a single person. InTraffic has the resources to involve
competences that are required to properly the right expertise at the time when this is needed.
handle complex system integration issues. That works very nicely.”
This was also evident during this project. You During the first phase, InTraffic was responsible
need multiple competencies that can't all be for writing the specifications. Information analyst
combined in a single person. InTraffic has the and system architect Peter Verbeek took on this
resources to involve the right expertise at the task and translated the information compiled by
time when this is needed. That works very GVB’s architects into software specifications: what
nicely.” functions does a vehicle have and how should they
be translated into software? What other systems does
René Morel GIVA communicate with? Verbeek: “Back then, ITxPT
GIVA ICT system integrator at Amsterdam’s was not yet at the level where the standard is now,
GVB so this was quite a difficult task. What’s more, the
standard was relatively unknown in the market at the
time. We are now four years down the road, and the
choice for ITxPT has worked out well.”
the buses and metros much faster because 80% of Testing the interfaces and functionalities
the software of these systems is the same as that GIVA is a broad platform that comprises multiple
for trams. About 20 per cent is specific to a vehicle components. The heart consists of the AVMS
type.” (Automated Vehicle Management System) and
Morel knows that this will also have consequences the travel information systems, for instance SPOT
for maintenance and management. (Single Point of Truth) and RIV (Travel Information In
"We now have one team that can maintain the the Vehicles).
systems for buses, trams and metros, whereas In addition, the platform includes several smaller
previously this required several different teams. This components and of course there is an integration
saves a considerable amount of costs.” At least as layer that ensures that all those components
important is the fact that it has become much easier communicate with each other. InTraffic developed
to promptly inform travellers about special situations the AVMS as well as SPOT and RIV; the other
such as a blockage. “We can inform our travellers components were supplied by third parties.
much faster of changes in the timetable because all An important part of the programme is testing the
modes of transport use GIVA, which exchanges data software itself and its integration: does everything
more easily with other systems thanks to the ITxPT work as it should? Is all communication between
standard.” systems proceeding correctly, even if something
unexpected happens? Can travellers use their
Complex integration issue Public Transport chip card to validate their ticket on
InTraffic has been involved in the project from the entering and exiting the vehicle, and will the correct
very beginning, says Morel. “They have the domain amount be debited? Because of his experience
knowledge and competences that are required to in other public transport chip projects, Henno
properly handle complex system integration issues. Willering was in charge of this project component.
intraffic.nl
CASE INTRAFFIC DESIGNS NEW GENERIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR AMSTERDAM’S GVB
“The vehicle systems on the trams were supplied
as a black box. The only way to check whether
everything works as planned was to try out all "Because we were one of the first public
possible scenarios.” transport companies worldwide to embrace
the ITxPT standard so widely, we had to win
Leap forward over a lot of people. After all, this approach
Since the summer of 2020, the first 18 buses was new for almost all suppliers and their
equipped with GIVA have been driving around subcontractors.”
Amsterdam, followed by the first trams at the end
of November. Morel is proud of what has been René Morel
achieved. “We took on the challenge when the GIVA ICT system integrator at Amsterdam’s
ITxPT specification wasn't even finished. However, GVB
we had such confidence in this project that we
dared to take the risk. And I don’t regret it. Because
although we had to invent the wheel ourselves and
of course we had to deal with teething problems, we
also proved the substantial benefits of working with It’s a huge leap forward. We have demonstrated that
a generic architecture that is based on standards. no matter how different all devices on buses, trams
We can develop new software faster, we have and metro trains might be, you can approach and
simplified maintenance and management, and we manage them in a generic way, with all the related
have improved communications with the traveller. cost benefits. This is a great achievement.”
Would you like to know more about the project or Jean Olthof
results? Please contact us! Business Development Manager
Jean.olthof@intraffic.nl
+31 (0)6 579 14 850
Iepenhoeve 11 info@intraffic.nl
3438 MR Nieuwegein +31 (0)88 345 5000 intraffic.nlYou can also read
